Difference Between Aboard and Onboard

Key Difference – Aboard vs Onboard

Aboard and onboard are two words that can be easily confused. Both these words are commonly used when talking about trains, ships, aircrafts, and other passenger vehicles. The key difference between aboard and onboard is that aboard is used to describe the entry into a passenger vehicle whereas onboard is used to refer to the situation or position of something inside a passenger vehicle.

What Does Aboard Mean?

Aboard can be used as a preposition or an adverb. This word is typically used with reference to trains, ships, aircrafts, or other passenger vehicles. It can give the same meaning as on or into.

Aboard as a preposition

We climbed abroad the ship, following the captains’ instructions.

It took her some time to realize that she has climbed abroad the wrong train.

How many sailors were aboard that ship when it sailed from this port?

Aboard as an adverb

The train went off the rail, injuring 56 passengers aboard.

The captain welcomed all aboard.

The aircraft crashed, killing 145 passengers aboard.

Figurative Meaning

Aboard can also be used to refer to an entry in or into a group, association, or organization. This has quite a figurative meaning. For example,

This is her first promotion since coming aboard.

He came aboard as the private secretary of the chairman.

Do you know how many passengers were aboard that cruise ship when it left the port?

What Does Onboard Mean?

Onboard is an adjective that describes something that is available or situated on board an aircraft, ship, or other vehicles.

The aircraft is controlled by an onboard computer system.

His new car came with an onboard television and computer system.

He ordered meals from the onboard food services.

His car came with a brand new onboard music system.

The onboard alarm system will trigger as soon as an unauthorized person enters the control room.

Onboard vs On Board

Onboard is also written as on-board. Onboard is written as one word as long as it used as an adjective that modifies something. All the examples above are written in this way. It can be written as on board (two words) when it is not used as an adjective. For example,

Smoking is not allowed on board.

There were no females on board.

The onboard restaurant was large enough to serve meals to all 200 passengers at once.

What is the difference between Aboard and Onboard?

Meaning:

Aboard: Into or on trains, ships, aircrafts, or other passenger vehicles.

Onboard: Available or situated on trains, ships, aircrafts, or other passenger vehicles.

Usage:

Aboard: Aboard is used to describe the entry into a passenger vehicle.

Onboard: Onboard is used to refer to the situation or position of something inside a passenger vehicle.

Grammatical Category:

Aboard: Aboard can be used as an adverb or a preposition.

Onboard: Onboard is mainly used as an adjective.

Figurative Meaning:

Aboard: Aboard is also used in a figurative sense. (Ex: Entry into an organization)